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About Diabetes

You are diagnosed with diabetes if your blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal.  This occurs when the glucose cannot get into your cells and as a result, your cells are deprived of their glucose, which is their food.  As a result your cells are starving for their food (glucose).  This is similar to surrounding a starving person with lots of delicious foods and then sewing their mouths closed so they are unable to eat.

In the United Stated, about 17 million Americans are believed to have diabetes and unfortunately, one-third of those patients don’t even know they have it.  Diabetes is a serious health concern and is among the leading causes of death in the US.

It is very important for people with diabetes to have a physician who closely monitors their health as diabetes can cause serious health complications.  These include heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.  It would be of significant to note that most diabetics develop heart disease.

In fact, a diabetic carries the same risk of having a heart attack as someone who already has had such an event.  This is the reason why it is very important for diabetics to have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure closely monitored and treated when necessary.  Additionally, any use of tobacco products multiplies the risks and should be stopped immediately.

Kinds of Diabetes

There are different kinds of diabetes though the basic features are the same.  A basic feature of diabetes is the inability of the body to utilize glucose (sugar) for energy which causes the glucose levels of the person to rise up above normal levels.

Below are the three important areas that you should understand:

1. The cells in your body which use the glucose are important as they must be able to remove sugar from the blood and put it inside the cell as a fuel.
2. The insulin which is made by your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) is important to allow the sugar to enter the cell (the key to unlock the door to enter).
3. Glucose is broken down from your food or from muscle and liver from a storage form of glucose called glycogen.

Think of diabetes as a locking gas cap on your car.  If you understand how a locking gas cap works, then you can understand how diabetes works.  All the cells in your body have a locking gas cap on them. Insulin is the key to the locking gas cap, and glucose would be the fuel for the car.

Below are some of the different scenarios that exists for different types of diabetes.  The result of all of these scenarios is excess glucose in your blood.

1. The body totally stops making insulin (keys) so you can’t get glucose (fuel) into your cells.
2. Your body makes some insulin (keys) but not much as your body needs.  Therefore, only a few of the cells can be unlocked and opened to put the glucose (fuel) inside.
3. Some of the locks on the cells become rusty and won’t work properly.  So even if you have insulin (keys), you can’t get the cells to open. This is called insulin resistance. If the cells won’t open, you can’t get glucose (fuel) inside the cell for energy.

Types Of Diabetes

1.  TYPE 1

This accounts for 5-10% of diabetics and is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.  In this type of diabetes, the pancreas does not make any insulin (keys) at all.

2.  TYPE 2

This is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for 90-95% of all cases.  In this type of diabetes, either one of the two scenarios can occur.  These scenarios causes the body to be unable to utilize the glucose like they are meant to do so.  Insulin resistance is the term used when your cells ignore the insulin.

• either your body doesn’t make enough insulin (keys), or
• the cells in your body ignore the insulin (the lock is rusty and doesn’t work)

3. GESTATIONAL DIABETES

This type of diabetes only accounts for a small number of cases and can only be acquired by pregnant women.  If this is left untreated, it can cause problems for both the mother and the baby.  This type of diabetes usually disappears after the pregnancy.

4. OTHERS

Other types of diabetes results from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all cases of diabetes.

Risk Factors

Below are the risk factors that increase your chance of developing diabetes:

1.  TYPE 2

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes includes:

• older age
• obesity
• family history
• prior history of gestational diabetes
• impaired glucose tolerance
• physical inactivity
• race/ethnicity

2.  TYPE 1

Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are less well defined than it is for Type 2 diabetes.  Here are some of the risk factors that are involved in developing this type of diabetes:

• autoimmune
• genetic
• environmental factors

Symptoms of Diabetes

Here are some of the symptoms of diabetes:

• frequent urination
• excessive thirst
• unexplained weight loss
• extreme hunger
• sudden vision changes
• tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• feeling very tired much of the time
• very dry skin
• sores that are slow to heal
• more infections than usual

In addition, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of type 1 diabetes.

If you think you or someone you know has diabetes, it is advisable that you visit a physician for a diagnosis right away.  It is important to remember not all the symptoms need to be present.  You may have some or even none of the above symptoms.

Avoiding Sugar

Since glucose is sugar, is it enough to just avoid sweets?  Unfortunately, it is not that simple.

The truth is, most food, and all of the carbohydrates you eat, are broken down into its simplest structure – glucose. As food arrives in your stomach, the acid starts to break the food down immediately. Proteins are broken down for their amino acids, and carbohydrates for their glucose.

Once your gastrointestinal system breaks your food down into something your body can utilize, the blood picks it up and carries it to your cells for energy.  In healthy people, the blood picks up the glucose absorbed from the GI tract, and sends a signal to your pancreas (an organ near your stomach) to make and release insulin.

As mentioned above, in Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin (keys) or your cells could be ignoring the insulin that is there (the locks are rusty and won’t work).   In both situations, your cells are starving as they do not get the glucose they need for energy.

Meanwhile, all the extra glucose is just floating around in your blood and can’t be used.  Unfortunately, when all that extra glucose is floating around in your blood, it causes damage to your blood vessels and organs.  That damage increases your risk of heart disease.  That is the reason why it is very important to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. When the glucose levels get really high, the glucose starts to leak out into your urine.

Treating Diabetes

There are several things you need to do to help control your diabetes.

1.  TYPE 1

The basic therapy for type 1 diabetes include:

• healthy eating
• physical activity
• insulin injections

It is important that the amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities.   For patients with type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.

2.  TYPE 2

The basic therapy for type 1 diabetes include:

• healthy eating
• physical activity
• blood glucose testing

In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Some of the oral medications work by stimulating your pancreas to make more insulin (keys). Other oral medicines work to make the rusty locks start working again.   It fixes the lock on the cells so the insulin (keys) can open the cell to allow the glucose (fuel) inside. Once the glucose (fuel) is allowed inside the cells, your blood sugar levels will drop back down to normal.

Medicines for Diabetes

There are many different types of medications that your doctor may prescribe for diabetes.  However, do note that these prescriptions can cause certain nutritional deficiencies which can increase your risk for chronic degenerative diseases.

NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement was designed to work with your diabetic medications by replacing lost nutrients, reducing the risk of dangerous side effects, and promote better health

The main classes of diabetic medications include:

1.  SULFONYLUREAS

Sulfonylureas include the following medications:

• Orinase
• Tolinase
• Diabinese
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Amaryl
• Prandin
• Strarlix

The main function of sulfonylureas is to increase insulin production in the beta cells of the pancreas. Sulfonylureas can interfere with the body’s normal metabolism of Coenzyme Q10.  And since CoQ10 is necessary to make energy in all tissues of the body, this effect may decrease your body’s natural ability to utilize or burn up sugars.  It may even reduce the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin over time.

2.  BIGUANIDES

Biguanides include the following medications:

• Glucophage (Metformin)
• Glucovance (metformin + glyburide)

The main functions of biguanides are to lower the production of glucose by the liver thereby reducing blood glucose levels. Your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine in combination with sulfonylureas insulin, or a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones.

Unfortunately, biguanides have been shown to deplete vitamin B-12, folic acid and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A few of the problems which may arise from deficiencies of folate and vitamin B-12 include the following:

• Heart disease
• stroke
• anemia
• arthritis
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• neuropathies (nerve damage)

Because diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and neuropathy, it is especially important to prevent nutritional deficiencies which may add to these risk factors.  To reduce potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies, it is recommended that you take NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement as long as you are on your diabetic medication.

Because both medication types listed above can deplete CoQ10, it is important to understand some of the symptoms of a deficiency.  CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to the following diseases and symptoms:

• congestive heart failure
• high blood pressure
• rhabdomyolysis (muscle break down)
• muscle and joint pain
• fatigue

To achieve maximum benefit from the diabetes medications as well as minimize potential side effects of nutrient deficiencies, compliment your prescription medication by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement.  Doing this will balance the risk/benefit ratio further in your favor.

3.  THIAZOLIDINEDIONES

In summary, diabetic medications prescribed by your doctor are necessary to treat your condition; however, you should also be aware that the long term potential nutritional side effects may be just as big a risk factor for your health as the disease you set out to treat in the first place. Put the odds in your favor and maintain your health with NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients supplement

Keeping Your Blood Sugar Under Control

Frequent blood tests monitor your blood sugar.  It is highly recommended that patients with diabetes should have a home blood monitoring kit.  Some doctors ask their patients to check their blood sugar as frequently as six times a day, though this is an extreme case.

The more information you have about your blood sugar levels, the easier it will be for you to control it. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.

1.  HYPERGLYCEMIA

Hyperglycemia is when your blood sugar is too high.  When your blood sugar is too high, you may not experience any symptoms but the high levels of glucose in your blood is causing damage to your blood vessels and organs.  That is why it is important to have your body utilize the sugar properly and get it out of your bloodstream.

2.  HYPOGLYCEMIA

Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar is too low.  Having low blood sugar can be very dangerous and patients taking medication for diabetes should watch for symptoms of low blood sugar.

Monitoring your blood sugar regularly to avoid both low and high blood sugar is very important.  Always keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible at all times.

How the doctor knows if you are keeping your blood sugar under control

It is common for some patients to not follow the proper diet and exercise on a regular basis.  Some of them only follow these on the days leading to the blood test in the doctor’s office so their fasting blood glucose test results will be good for the doctor.  They want to look like they are doing a good job controlling their blood sugar.

However, there is a test that will show your doctor the real picture over the past 3 months or so.  This is called the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test.  Hemoglobin is the part of your blood or red cells that carries oxygen to your cells. Glucose sticks to the hemoglobin in your red cells of the blood as they emerge from the bone marrow where they are made.

The amount of sugar on the red cell is proportionate to the blood sugar level the moment the red cell goes into circulation, and remains at that level for the life of the red cell. So if there has been a lot of extra glucose in your blood, there will be a lot of glucose stuck all over your hemoglobin. Since the average lifespan of the hemoglobin in your blood is 90-100 days, a HbA1C test shows a doctor how well you have been controlling your blood sugar over the last 3 months.

This test is a check on the overall sugar control, not just the fasting blood sugar. So it is important to control your blood sugar at all times, and not just before visiting the doctor. The most important reason to control your blood sugar is so that you can live a longer, healthier life without complications that can be caused by not controlling your diabetes.

Repercussions of not controlling your diabetes

The complications of diabetes can be devastating.  Both forms of diabetes ultimately lead to high blood sugar levels, a condition called hyperglycemia. The damage that hyperglycemia causes to your body is extensive and includes:

• Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) is a leading cause of blindness.

• Diabetes predisposes people to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These independently and together with hyperglycemia increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other blood vessel complications.

• Damage to the nerves in the autonomic nervous system can lead to paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), chronic diarrhea, and an inability to control heart rate and blood pressure with posture changes.

• Damage to the kidneys from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) is a leading cause of kidney failure.

• Damage to the nerves from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) is a leading cause of lack of normal sensation in the foot, which can lead to wounds and ulcers, and all too frequently to foot and leg amputations.

• Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, and the formation of fatty plaques inside the arteries, which can lead to blockages or a clot (thrombus), which can then lead to heart attack, stroke, and decreased circulation in the arms and legs (peripheral vascular disease).

• Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs from time to time in most people with diabetes. It results from taking too much diabetes medication or insulin, missing a meal, doing more exercise than usual, drinking too much alcohol, or taking certain medications for other conditions. It is very important to recognize hypoglycemia and be prepared to treat it at all times. Headache, feeling dizzy, poor concentration, tremors of hands, and sweating are common symptoms of hypoglycemia. You can faint or have a seizure if blood sugar level gets too low.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition in which uncontrolled hyperglycemia (usually due to complete lack of insulin or a relative deficiency of insulin) over time creates a buildup in the blood of acidic waste products called ketones. High levels of ketones can be very harmful. This typically happens to people with type 1 diabetes who do not have good blood glucose control. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be precipitated by infection, stress, trauma, missing medications like insulin, or medical emergencies like stroke and heart attack.

• Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome is a serious condition in which the blood sugar level gets very high. The body tries to get rid of the excess blood sugar by eliminating it in the urine. This increases the amount of urine significantly and often leads to dehydration so severe that it can cause seizures, coma, even death. This syndrome typically occurs in people with type 2 diabetes who are not controlling their blood sugar levels or have become dehydrated or have stress, injury, stroke, or medications like steroids.

Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a common condition related to diabetes. In people with pre-diabetes, the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Pre-diabetes increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes and of having a heart disease or a stroke. Pre-diabetes can be reversed without insulin or medication by losing a modest amount of weight and increasing your physical activity. This can prevent or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. When associated with certain other abnormalities, it is also called the metabolic syndrome.

What are normal blood glucose levels?   The amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood changes throughout the day and night.  Your levels will vary depending upon when, what and how much you have eaten, and whether or not you have exercised.  Below are the American Diabetes Association categories for normal blood sugar levels.  These are based on how your glucose levels are tested:

1.  A FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST

This test is performed after you have fasted (no food or liquids other than water) for eight hours. A normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dl.  A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 126 mg/dl or higher. (In 1997, the American Diabetes Association lowered the level at which diabetes is diagnosed to 126 mg/dl from 140 mg/dl.)

2.  A “RANDOM” BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST

This test can be taken any time.  A normal blood glucose range is in the low to mid 100s. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 200 mg/dl or higher and you have symptoms of disease such as fatigue, excessive urination, excessive thirst or unplanned weight loss.

3.  ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST

Another test called the oral glucose tolerance test may be performed instead.For this test, you will be asked, after fasting overnight, to drink a sugar-water solution. Your blood glucose levels will then be tested over several hours. In a person without diabetes, glucose levels rise and then fall quickly after drinking the solution.

In a person with diabetes, blood glucose levels rise higher than normal and do not fall as quickly.A normal blood glucose reading two hours after drinking the solution is less than 140 mg/dl, and all readings between the start of the test until two hours after the start are less than 200 mg/dl.  Diabetes is diagnosed if your blood glucose levels are 200 mg/dl or higher.

What To Do When You Have Diabetes

People with diabetes should consult with a health care provider who will monitor and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see the following health care professionals:

• endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care
• ophthalmologists for eye examinations
• podiatrists for routine foot care
• dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management

Diabetes, and its precursor, the metabolic syndrome, can lead to a multitude of problems if not adequately controlled. These include:

• vascular diseases that result in heart attack and stroke
• kidney damage leading to kidney failure
• damage to nerves (neuropathy)
• retinal damage leading to blindness
• high blood pressure
• various metabolic defects such as high triglycerides or high cholesterol

It is therefore crucial to control the diabetes as well as all the other risk factors for artery diseases that cause heart attack and stroke.  To control this, your doctor will insist on a good diet and regular exercise. Medications are added to lower the blood sugar.  If these are inadequate, insulin or other injectable medication will be required.

The medications that treat diabetes may cause depletion of folic acid, which in turn can cause a high homocysteine, which is a risk factor for artery disease that underlies heart attack and stroke.  You can shift the risks in your favor by taking NutraMD Diabetes Essential Nutrients along with your doctor prescribed medications.

Going through the web, I see a lot of questions regarding diabetes.  A serious health concern such as diabetes should not be taken lightly.  It would be best to go to a reputable source when searching for answers and information regarding this.  Below is a link to one of the more reliable websites:

http://about-diabetes.atspace.com

You can find all the answers to your all your questions on this site.  It is a very useful website which gives you a lot of information on diabetes; its symptoms, prevention, treatment, examination & more.